Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara is on the verge of joining Liverpool and he has taken to Twitter to thank fans of the German side and explain his decision to switch clubs.
The 29-year-old has been with Bayern since signing from Barcelona in 2013 and has helped the side to seven consecutive league titles, while his final match of last season saw him win a treble with the Bavarian giants.
He has just one year left on his contract but reportedly turned down the opportunity to extend his deal, preferring instead to challenge himself elsewhere and the Premier League represented the next logical step for his career.
Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed this decision, saying:
“I can confirm that FC Bayern has finally reached an agreement with Liverpool FC. It was Thiago’s great wish to do something new at the end of his career.”
It is believed that a fee of £25m has been agreed between Liverpool and Bayern Munich for a four-year deal and the Spain international would be handed his preferred number 6 jersey which was recently vacated by the departed Dejan Lovren.
The Premier League champions have been in need of a creative midfielder and Thiago Alcantara fits the bill, with his range of passing and vision helping him dictate the tempo of matches effortlessly.
It appears that the move is all but set to be announced soon and the former Barcelona man has taken out time to explain his decision to fans of Bayern Munich and thank them for their support.
.@FCBayern ❤️ #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/H8JdGd1tTs
— Thiago Alcantara (@Thiago6) September 18, 2020
Posting on his official Twitter account, Alcantara tweeted:
”Yes, it has been the most difficult decision of my career. I decided to close this chapter in this marvelous club. The club where I grew and developed myself as a player during the last 7 years.
Victories, success, {joy} moments, and some hard times as well. But what I am most proud of is having arrived Munich being a young man full of dreams and leaving completely fulfilled and identified with a club, a history, a philosophy, a language and a culture. Here I learnt how to love and respect a tradition which I say goodbye now but I will never forget: Mia San Mia.
Ma and my family have lived amazing moments at the city, at Sabener Strausse and, of course in our beloved Allianz Arena. With you, my Bayern family who treated me so well and loved me every second.
My decision is purely sports related. As a football player, I want and I need new challenges in order to develop myself as I did here.
Bayern would always be my Heimat. Eternal thank you, Bayern !”
It would bring to an end a seven-year spell at the Allianz Area that saw him make 235 appearances in all competitions for the Bavarians, scoring 31 goals and providing 37 assists, with 16 major trophies won.
